ing the selection, preparation and adaptation of the food best suited to the various conditions of the body.

Your acceptance of the degree just conferred, means more than the mere distinction and enjoyment of a position of trust due to tried and endorsed ability. It imposes the very highest and most sacred regard for your profession. You must devote unceasing love and labor to advanc. ing and upholding its standard and rank. You must rise superior to all that is ignoble, or even countenances quackery. Life is inherited from parents, who pass the magic sceptre, that wields command over the limited amount of inanimate matter of which the body is formed. With this charmed talisman, is linked the collar of care, which grows heavier as the power of the wand weakens. See to it young men that all unnecessary weight and excresences are stripped from off the latter and that the former be unsullied blessings. Alas! too often more care is expended over the cultivation of perfection of breed in animals than in men ! The virtues are a transmissible heredity, as well as the vices, and you will be blessed by the ability and sterling worth of your children in proportion as you have succeeded in the mastery and the self control for good against evil, for knowledge as opposed to ignorance. In these days of morbid investment in life insurance for income and pecuniary profit, why is so little attention given to the moral worth and training of those for whom the amassing of wealth, is the all engrossing care?

Every age and condition has its pleasures and its duties; as the former increase in depth the latter grow in height. The scales that weigh the enjoyments of life, are never borne down upon the side of pain that they do not in return rise up with the fulness of joy; counterpoise is ever the changing lot of the living; equipose the almost unalterable state of the dead.

A chill precedes a fever and only

death brings uniformity of temperature of body and likewise of the mind. For the first it may be found in the chill of the grave, for the latter it lies in the heat of remorse, or soars amid the bliss of Heaven.

We trust that you may deserve the greatest of joys both here and hereafter. To attain these the pathway may often lead through thickets of doubt beset by thorns that inflict pain. Fear not the present nor dwell too much even in thought upon it, but look forward with hope for the dawn of the coming day, which follows the thickest darkness of the night. The greater the trials in life the more profound the lesson and the more exalting will be the next upward step. The child attempting its infantile tasks at study, often with tears bedews the tender shoots of its tree of knowledge. A prominent and popular writer has called attention to the fact that the earth does not yield its richest fruits, until it has been torn up by the plow of the husbandman, and the furrows of the brows of students, that are worn by painful care and study, seem to be an essential preparation for the greatest and sweetest fruition of the mind. How do the pages of history verify this postulate, from blind Homer to homeless Payne! The most lovely verses have frequently been written amid the most intense suffering. Trials but strengthen the strong, and the mind, which has mastered in the severest struggle, is by this discipline prepared for even greater.

In the life that for eighteen centuries, has stood as a model for all men to imitate and follow, the agony of the garden of Gethsemane preceded that of Calvary-But what glory followed?

Still waits kind nature to impart
Her choicest gifts to such as gain
An entrance to her loving heart,
Through the sharp discipline of pain."
"Forever from the hand that takes

One blessing from us others fall;
And, soon or late, our Father makes

His perfect recompense to all !" *Whittier's "Summer by Lake Side." "Evening."

COMBINATION OF GOLD AND AMALGAM.

BY I. S. FOGG, D.D.S.

Believing the method of combining gold with amalgam in large approximal cavities, (particularly in the molars and bicuspids), and in cavities embracing the approximal and masticating surfaces, to be the correct one, I was interested in the opinions of Drs. Register and Kingsley as I read them in the first number of the PRACTITIONER, and am reminded of an operation in my early experience the successful issue of which first led me to believe that good results might be obtained by such a combination.

Among my earliest efforts in gold filling were six approximal cavities in the superior incisiors, from and including the mesial surfaces of the laterals. My patient was a Miss of twelve or fourteen years with teeth of average structure for that age. In burnishing one of the fillings, I found it, to my disgust, sadly defective at the cervical margin and as as time did not permit of refilling then, and no appointment could be made for some time, as a temporary expedient I removed enough of the gold at the imperfect point to form a cavity and filled with amalgam, intending upon the first opportunity to remove and entirely refill with gold. It was a year or more before such opportunity offered, and having been taught that gold and amalgam in contact, in the mouth would establish a perpetual galvanic battery I experienced some anxiety in the interval as to the inconvenience my patient might be suffering from this galvanic action. I was, therefore, quite agreeably surprised to find there had been no feeling of discomfort whatever.

The

tooth being in a good state of preservation, the gold portion of the filling being perfect, and the amalgam, though black, being entirely out of sight, and therefore unobjectionable, I deemed it unneces

sary to disturb it at that time, but decided to keep it under surveillance as an experiment. Twenty years had elapsed when I last saw the patient, to find that this particular operation was still intact, and from the appearance of it, good for another twenty years, while all the others, I had meanwhile, at least once re-filled. Passing the question of the quality of the other fillings, excepting to say that at the time I made them, I thought them perfect, I believe that no fillings entirely of gold, however perfect, could have been made in those cavities at so early an age, that would have prevented a recurrence of decay at the cervical edges.

As before stated, it was my satisfaction with this particular operation which led me to experiment further in the practice of combining amalgam and gold with a view of testing the galvanic action theory, and for several years past I have used them as described by Drs. Register and Kingsley in new fillings, and I have also packed amalgam on gold in the filling of cavities caused by decay at the cervical edges, the gold filling being otherwise intactbelieving it better practice than to remove as much as would be necessary in order to re-fill with gold. I have also, by making suitable retaining points on the anterior surfaces of amalgam fillings that had from long time become black and unsightly, built on or faced with gold, and have in like manner restored with gold a good portion of the lost buccal walls of the bicuspids depending altogether for anchorage on the amalgam fillings of the approximal surfaces. I have never known of any inconvenience from the use of amalgam with gold, excepting when I have used it in the manner alluded to by Dr. Register, viz entirely covering the amalgam with gold. In a case of this kind where I removed about one-half of a very large amalgam filling, and covered the remaining portion entirely with gold, the disturbance, though not serious, and lasting

:

but a few weeks, was such that I would avoid a repetition of the operation, believing that in certain conditions of the mouth such a combination might be attended with serious inconvenience.

Why this galvanic action should occur in the case just described, and not in those cases where both metals are exposed to the secretions of the mouth, or why gold and amalgam in combination will, when used as described by Drs. R. and K., preserve many teeth better than either gold or amalgam alone, it is not my purpose at this time to attempt to explain.

My object in this brief article is simply to add my testimony in support of the practice recommended by the gentlemen before alluded to.

The assertion made by the advocates of "gold only" that the cause of failure of gold to prevent decay is its imperfect insertion, goes for nothing in the light of every-day experience, and he who insists upon this, is either blind to the failures of the most eminent operators, or he must strike from the roll of competents many of those now in the front ranks of the profession.

An instance of the speedy failure of perfect gold operations which came under my notice a few days since, and which, in my opinion, might have been averted by the use of the combination of amalgam and gold, is so marked and lamentable that I cannot refrain from a notice of it here. The patient in the case, complained that "teeth filled but a little while ago were beginning to hurt." On examination I found from the distal surfaces of the superior canines to the anterior approximal surfaces of the second molars on both sides of the mouth, very large fillings, those in all of the bi-cuspids, being compounded and beautifully contoured by the aid of the Electric Mallet, the solidity, beauty and finish of which were calculated to excite enthusiastic admiration for the man possessing the skill to perform such operations,

and yet, though scarce three years done, decay at the cervical margins of most of the fillings has progressed to the extent of admitting the blade of a good sized excavator. This work was done by a practitioner widely known as one of the most thorough and conscientious in the country. In my opinion the judicious use of amalgam with gold in this case would have averted for many years to come the necessity of refilling, besides saving many hours of labor and much expense.

TESTS FOR CREOSOTE AND TREATMENT OF EXPOSED PULPS.

BY H. C. LONGNECKER, D.D.S.

One of the objects of this paper is to enquire whether the wood-creosote offered for sale is pure or not. The relative commercial value of the articles sold as coaltar-creosote and wood-creosote should be sufficient to dispose of the question as to their purity; however this may be, it can be laid down as a rule that the cheap variety is nothing more than a phenol or carbolic acid.

Wood-creosote is often adulterated with coal-tar-creosote or phenol.

To prove the identity of wood-creosote and its freedom from phenol, the following tests are laid down in various works as conclusive evidence of its purity. These tests have been fully tried with several samples of wood-creosote, and also with phenol, sold as commercial or coal-tar

creosote.

Test No. I.- -Equal volumes of anhydrous glycerine and wood-creosote make a turbid mixture, separating on standing:

Phenol dissolves-If three volumes of water be added the separation of the woodcreosote is immediate; phenol remains in permanent solution.

Test No. 2.-Solubility in benzine. Wood-creosote is entirely soluble. Phenol is insoluble.

Test No. 3.-One volume of wood

creosote added to two volumes of glycerine; the former is not dissolved, but separates on standing. Phenol dissolves.

Test No. 4.-Collodion or albumen with an equal bulk of wood-creosote makes a perfect mixture without coagulation. Phenol at once coagulates into a more or less firm mass or clot.

A number of other tests verified by Prof. P. W. Bedford are omitted, as those already given are thought to be sufficient for all practical purposes.

These tests were tried with four samples of wood-creosote purchased from different pharmicists, and all found to be pure.

Three samples of commercial creosote gave the negative tests, showing that they were phenol. The collodion test for small samples will be found very convenient, as well as reliable. While phenols are commonly sold for wood-creosote, it can be seen from the tests made that pure woodcreosote can be obtained without any more difficulty or care than is necessary to secure any other article that is subject to adulteration.

Wood-creosote is in abundant supply; is of unexceptional quality, and reasonable in price (though more expensive than coaltar-creosote or phenol), so that there is no excuse for the substitution of inferior or adulterated articles. Creosote and carbolic acid are indispensable to the dentist in the treatment of exposed pulps, and as this is one of the uncertain operations we are called upon to perform, we should have the remedies used of unquestionable purity.

In the treatment of exposed pulps, the first step is to apply the rubber dam neatly, remove the soft portions of decay with excavators, apply to the exposed point or points a drop of carbolic acid, as this acid has the power of coagulating the protoplasm of the ends of the fibres in the dentinal canaliculi, and if there be severe pain it will effectually relieve it. Now dry the cavity with bibulous paper, pre

pare a mixture of the oxide of zinc and creosote of a creamy consistency, and apply a small portion to the exposed point or points without producing the least pressure. Having completed this part of the operation without causing pain, the remaining portion of the cavity should be filled with the oxy-chloride of zinc and kept absolutely dry for at least thirty minutes.

If the teeth so treated give no trouble for twelve or eighteen months, the whole filling should be removed, having previously applied the rubber dam. If there be no exudation from the point of exposure, or if secondary dentine has been thrown out, the case is ready for the permanent capping. This should be done in the following manner: Remove the oxychloride of zinc filling with cavity burs operated by the dental engine. The capping of oxide of zinc and creosote in direct contact with the exposed pulp should be removed with delicate excavators; apply carbolic acid to the thin lamina of dentine next the pulp, and further protect it with a capping of oxy-chloride of zinc. The remaining portion of the cavity can be completed with any permanent filling that seems applicable to the case.

It is not prudent to fill permanently over exposed pulps; they should first be put on probation. The exception to this rule is where the operator, by his bungling mannipulation, has exposed this delicate organ; to this may be added cases wherein the exposure is extremely slight and has given no pain. It has been said that a pulp that has been once congested will ultimately die. Whether this statement is correct or not we know that many pulps die quietly and neither the operator nor the patient is aware of it until incipient abscess ensues.

It is, therefore, safer and better to examine all doubtful cases a second time before inserting the permanent filling.

Should there be any exudation or any

evidence of an abnormal condition of the pulp, it should be treated precisely as in the first instance.

The oxy-chloride of zinc is preferred for the permanent capping, for the reason that it is a solid crystalized mass, and not only affords protection from thermal changes, but also shields the pulp effectually in the operation of condensing a gold filling.

It will be noticed that carbolic acid is preferred for direct application to the exposed pulp; this is for the reason that it forms a coagulated cushion which is a protection to the pulp in the subsequent treatment. Coal-tar-creosote has the power of coagulating albumen only to a limited Pure wood-creosote, not at all.

extent.

RUBBER PLATES.

It is a common thing to see in dental journals condemnatory remarks on rubber plates-that it makes the gums sore and soft, that the mercury is absorbed by the gum, causing little ulcers on its surface-and that it ought never to be used in the mouth. Without a doubt, the above is true in a few isolated cases, but that it always causes such trouble, is saying too much.

In the course of twenty-five years, I have seen very few mouths of which the gums were made sore by the absorption of mercury from rubber plates, but in a larger number of cases, the gums have been softened, probably from the constant wearing of a rubber plate, yet the same condition of gum is often seen in mouths that never touched a piece of rubber. One of the worst cases of this kind I ever saw, was in the mouth of a patient that had always worn a gold plate.

The principal trouble appears to arise from its being a non-conductor-keeping the gum abnormaly heated, so unpleasant to some patients, as to cause them to remove the teeth frequently and bathe the mouth in cold water.

Admitting the above to be true, we

cannot help seeing that at least twothirds of those having rubber sets of teeth appear to use them with entire comfort. While so many patients prefer and will have them, its the duty of the dentist, as an honest man, to make them in the best possible way. A practitioner will loose reputation as a skilful dentist just as soon by inserting a poor rubber case as a gold one.

Improperly vulcanized rubber is the most disgusting thing to put in any one's mouth. The gases oozing from it constantly will cause the strongest stomach to sicken. The dentist who insults his patient by putting in such a piece of work ought to die a neglected genius !

To properly vulcanize rubber the time should be divided into two portions or heats; the first portion at a lower heat than the last, to cure it, or in other words to give time for the gases to escape and be absorbed into the plaster. The second heat at a higher temperature to harden the rubber.

When rubber first began to be used for plates, we were instructed to continue the heat for five hours. That was the time when large double heaters were used. Then the rubber plates, when polished, were a beautiful rosy red, very different from the brown color of the vulcanized rubber of to-day. Then came an era of improvement? The heaters were reduced in size and the time shortened, so that now the manufacturer seems to think the principal recommendation for their rubbers, is the short time it takes to harden them; the latest is the fifteen minutemake you a set while you wait-price, $3.

The method which produces the best results with me, is as follows: In a two flask Whitney vulcanizer I place my flask, turn on the flame, allowing from twenty minutes to a half hour for the mercury to reach 280°; if the plate is thin, say about an eighth of an inch or a trifle over, I let it remain at that point thirty minutes, to